SPRINGFIELD – The last of three defendants convicted of burning down the Macedonia Church of God in Christ was given a 4½-year sentence Wednesday in U.S. District Court.

Thomas Gleason, 24, of Springfield, was also ordered to pay $1.7 million in restitution and serve three years of supervised release after his prison sentence.

“This is something that never should have happened, and certainly not in Springfield,” said Judge Michael A. Ponsor, who issued the sentence.

The sentence was less than the two co-defendants, Benjamin F. Haskell, 25, and Michael F. Jacques Jr., 27, who are already serving nine- and 14-year prison sentences, respectively, for their roles in the church arson.

Ponsor said the disparity in the sentences reflected Gleason’s cooperation in the investigation as well as the fact that he is “highly salvageable young man who has grown up during this experience. It’s unfortunate that’s what it took.”

Prosecutors said the church burning was racially motivated and a reaction to Barack Obama being elected the nation’s first black president.

Gleason admitted to his role in the Nov. 5, 2008, incident, which occurred only hours after Obama defeated U.S. Sen. John McCain.

Gleason pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy against civil rights and other charges for destroying the predominantly black church on Tinkham Road in Springfield’s Sixteen Acres neighborhood.